Sanstha Inspiration Padmabhushan Dr. Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil Dr. Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil was born on 22 September, 1887 at Kumbhoj, in the Kolhapur district of Maharashtra. His native place is Aitawade Budruk., Dist. Sangli. He came from the tenacious Jain family but rejected its rigorous religious rites and fought all his life against the social ills that impede the secularist growth of society. During his school days, he came under the direct influence of the then king of Kolhapur, Rajarshi Chh. Shahu Maharaj who was a staunch advocate of social equality and great promoter of education for the backward communities of Maharashtra. Another great social reformer from whom, he drew inspiration was Mahatma Jyotirao Phule. While working at Ogales, Kirloskars and Coopers, Bhaurao would save his time to devote himself to the activities of Satya-Shodhak Samaj.He would perform Satya Shodhaki Jalasas in the villages of Maharashtra and awaken the people to the dire consequences of the social evils of the time.He realised that the social ills could be remedied through the education of the masses alone and so laid the foundation of the Rayat Shikshan Sanstha by opening a Boarding House at Kale (Tal-Karad, Dist-Satara) in 1919. Soon, however, in 1924 he shifted the head- quarters of his educational institution to Satara. It is a significant coincidence that Mahatma Gandhi’s Freedom Movement and Bhaurao Patil’s Mass- Education Movement started functioning at about the same time in the year 1920. Bhaurao first saw Gandhiji at a public meeting in Bombay, in 1921. He was stunned to see Gandhiji only in a loin-cloth at the huge rally. So deeply was he impressed that he resolved to wear khadi for the rest of his life. Mahatma Gandhi was struggling hard to attain the political freedom for the country. Karmaveer Bhaurao was rebellious by temperament but revered freedom. Bhaurao was uncertain as to whether political freedom or social reforms should receive prime concern, till the Kameri Satyagraha of 1930, but thereafter he devoted himself fully to the cause of mass education. In his view, education is the means to empower the masses to enjoy the fruits of freedom and to emancipate them from social, economic and cultural slavery. Contribution by Sou. Vahini Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil alias Anna, his wife Sou. Laxmibai Patil alias Vahini, the idol of sacrifice, had handed over all her gold ornaments one after the other including even her sacred Mangal Sutra, to meet the expenditure of the Boarding House. Though Vahini came from an orthodox and traditional background, she took care of the children of different castes as if they were her own. The teachers of the voluntary schools and the Life- Members of the Sanstha worked on very scanty wages and sometimes even without wages. Karmaveer Bhaurao had thus formed a bright and ideal team of Life-Members and vast net-work of its workers whose selfless devotion and sacrifice contributed to the growth and development of the Sanstha.We are all indebted to Bhaurao for his selfless services to the cause of education and welfare of the masses. In recognition of the unique value of his work, theUniversity of Poona honoured him with the D.Litt. and the Govt. of India with the Padma- Bhushan. However the masses of Maharashtra, literate and illiterate, the poor and the rich had already conferred on him the greatest title "Karmaveer" meaning, "hero in action", long before. The people of Maharashtra came under the strong and formative influence of Karmaveer Bhaurao Patil's towering personality, his lofty idealism, transparent character, simple living, uncommon sacrifice and saintly life. College Inspiration Patrons at the time of Establishment of the College : Swami Ramanand Bharati: Born in Karnataka State, Swami Ramanand Bharati established monasteries in Dudhondi, a neighbouring village and Bhramamnandnagar in Palus Tahsil. He was the president of Congress Local Board Sangli and a member of the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra. His deeds were appreciated by one and all and the village Ramanandnagar was named after him. He gave refuge to the revolutionaries of 1942 movement. He was closely associated with Karmaveer and donated his monastery at Dudhondi and its land to the college. Sundergiriji Maharaj: Sundergiriji Maharaj, a spiritual soul from Burli, a neighboring village, extended financial help to the college during its formative days. He also happened to be a member of the Local Managing Committee of the college. The college could stand on its feet only with such a support. Shantanurao Kirloskar: The true successor of his father Shantanurao Laxmanrao Kirloskar had a vision of the education of the masses. Being completed his own education abroad he knew importance of education of his workers and the peasants. He donated the sum of one day salary of the workers of his factory with their consent and the same amount from the management side as well to the college. Nemu Bhagvant Khot ( Tatya ): Nemu Tatya, a native of Burli, was a freedom fighter. He was an activist member of Rashtra Seva Dal and was also associated with Comrade S. M. Joshi. He was a member of the General Body of the parent institute and also the college Local Managing Committee. By profession he was a worker in the Kirloskar factory. He played a key role in foundation of the college and two high school units in the campus. He donated some amount from his retirement fund to the college. Prabhakar Dattatraya Gune: He was the chief executive engineer of Kirloskar industry. He completed his education in England. He is known for his contribution in educational, industrial and social development of Kirloskarwadi and its surrounding villages. He was the chairperson of college Local Managing Committee. He played a vital role in its foundation. He inspired the workers and the management of the company to donate one day salary twice to the college. Baburao Raoji Nalawade (Baba Master): The freedom fighter and social worker from Dudhondi, a neighboring village, Baba Master played an important role in the accumulation of donation for the college. He played the role of mediator in getting Ramanand Bharati's monastery and its lands in donations at Dudhondi for the college. He helped financially to the college. He also played an important role in educational and social work in the area. .